Hit & Run – Rare and Endangered Products Edition

This week’s Hit & Run involves a herd of elephants raising the stakes in the coffee game, overheating black truffles migrating north, and an unfolding wine tragedy in Tuscany. So pop the cork, sit back and enjoy!

Elephant Shit Coffee – Sir, would you care for an exquisite and rare cup of coffee made with prize cherries shat from the bottom of a majestic elephant? As if the Indonesian Kopi Luwak civet crap coffee wasn’t enough (read review here), some smart-ass in Thailand decided to go straight to the top of the animal kingdom and enlist a herd of elephants (and villagers) to do his dirty work. Coming to select 5 star resorts only.

Climate Change Truffle Shuffle – The prized black truffle or ‘black diamond’ has been known to fetch upwards of $2500 a kilo, and make a few celebrated appearances only at the finest restaurants when they come in season. The price on this rare culinary gem is on the rise as dry summers in Southern Europe have caused a steep decline in production across its traditional range of southwestern France, Spain, and Italy. Scientists blame climate change and even suggest the truffle may be on the move looking for cooler digs in other countries. How do you say truffle in Swiss-German?

Down the Drain – A great disturbance in the force was felt recently when 62,600 litres of top-shelf Brunello di Montalcino wine was poured down the drain by unknown vandals. The wine, much of the last six vintages of Case Basse di Soldera, sold for, on average $275 a bottle.

News reports had suggested that the destruction might have been linked to organized crime…Mr. Soldera is among the staunchest defenders of traditional Brunello, and he rarely restrains himself from questioning the practices of his neighbors. He has not been diplomatic in criticizing their wines, or modest in assessing his own, which he regards as one of the few great wines in the world. While wine-lovers around the world admire the gorgeous purity and grace of his wines, he is not beloved among his peers.

What we have here is a 20 million dollar mystery that has the strong aroma of serious operatic intrigue.